Bag Ban Imminent?
It’s coming. A source close to the subject has said that Florence will likely have a ban on plastic bags in place sometime in the 2019 calendar year. The Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee will meet this evening to discus some of the aspects of a ban, but it is likely that by April or May of this year the wording that would go before the city council will be ready for a vote. The city has already enacted a ban against certain Styrofoam containers and there is a move now to consider other non-recyclable items. Last night in the Bromley Room at Siuslaw public library the group Precious Plastics of Florence demonstrated a way to recycle certain plastics and turn them into usable products. In 2018 the recycling industry, especially along the western states, was hit with news that China would no longer accept contaminated recycling products and that made companies that collect materials severely limit what they could pick up and process. Florence would join other Oregon cities with a bag ban, but a statewide move is also likely to come in the next several years.
ODOT to Increase DUII Education
The Oregon Department of Transportation will meet in Salem tomorrow to discuss Driving under the influence of intoxicants. The Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII is working on materials to provide education and awareness of the issues surrounding DUII. ODOT is woking to get communities like Florence involved in reducing the number of DUII citations and arrests made. Recently, over the Christmas and New Year holiday Florence Police and Lane County Sheriffs participated in an increased enforcement campaign funded through state grants with the ultimate goal of reducing the amount of DUII accidents, injuries, and deaths.
PAC to Finalize Design
The city of Florence Public Arts Committee is expected to choose the final design for the mural that will go on the side of the Central Lincoln PUD building on Monday. The committee meets at 10 am Monday morning at the Florence Event Center. The P.A.C. has chosen Marino-Heidel studios in Portland to design the mural. The project will cost approximately $47,000. The committee will also discuss the timeline for the project and the step needed to be taken for installation.
